Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Nashua, NH

The Salary Picture: Where Nashua Stands

As someone who's watched the job market in Nashua for years, I can tell you the LPN roles here are stable, but not flashy. The city's healthcare sector is the backbone of the local economy, and while it's not a high-wage center like Boston, the cost of living is also a step down. Let's get straight to the numbers, because that's what matters when you're planning a move.

The median salary for an LPN in Nashua is $55,455/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $26.66/hour. This is slightly above the national average of $54,620/year, which is a good sign. It means Nashua's market pays competitively, even if it's not leading the pack. The metro area, which includes surrounding towns up into southern NH and a slice of Massachusetts, has 181 LPN jobs available. That's a solid number for a mid-sized city, ensuring you won't be fighting for a single position.

Here’s how that salary typically breaks down by experience level. This is based on local job postings and industry averages.

Experience Level	Typical Years	Annual Salary Range (Nashua)
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$48,000 - $53,000
Mid-Career	3-7 years	$55,000 - $62,000
Senior	8-15 years	$60,000 - $68,000
Expert	15+ years / Specialist	$65,000 - $75,000+

How does Nashua stack up against other major New Hampshire cities? It's squarely in the middle of the pack, which is typical for the state. Manchester, the largest city, often has a slightly higher median salary (around $56,000) but also a higher cost of living. Concord, the state capital, is similar. The real outlier is the Seacoast region (Portsmouth), where salaries can be higher due to proximity to the Boston market, but the cost of living is significantly steeper. Nashua offers a reasonable balance.

Insider Tip: Don't just look at the base salary. Many local employers in Nashua, especially long-term care facilities, offer shift differentials (extra pay for evenings, nights, and weekends) that can add $2 to $4 per hour to your base rate. For an LPN working a mix of shifts, this can bump your annual income by several thousand dollars.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's be practical. A salary number is meaningless without understanding your take-home pay and expenses. Nashua's cost of living index is 105.1, which is 5.1% above the national average. The key driver here is housing. The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Nashua is $1,489/month. That's a significant chunk of your paycheck.

Here’s a realistic monthly budget breakdown for an LPN earning the median $55,455/year (about $4,621/month gross). We're estimating take-home pay after taxes, health insurance, and retirement contributions.

Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Gross Pay	$4,621
Estimated Take-Home	~$3,550	(After taxes, FICA, insurance, 401k)
Rent (1BR)	$1,489	Average for Nashua
Utilities	$150	Electric, heat (high in winter), internet
Car Payment/Insurance	$350	NH has no sales tax, but insurance is required
Gas & Maintenance	$120	Commute within the metro
Groceries	$350
Healthcare Co-pays	$75
Student Loans/Other Debt	$200	Varies widely
Discretionary/Savings	$816	Left for everything else
Total	$3,550

This budget is tight but manageable, especially if you live with a partner or roommate. The discretionary amount covers everything from entertainment to saving for a down payment. Can you afford to buy a home? It's challenging but possible. The median home price in Nashua is around $400,000. With a $55,455 salary, you'd be pushing the upper limits of what most lenders would approve for a mortgage without a significant down payment. It's more feasible for dual-income households or after a few years of salary growth. Many local LPNs I know eventually move to nearby, more affordable towns like Hudson or Merrimack for single-family homes.

Where the Jobs Are: Nashua's Major Employers

Nashua's healthcare scene is dominated by a few major players and a network of smaller facilities. The 10-year job growth for LPNs is projected at 5%, which is stable, not explosive, mirroring national trends. Here’s where you should be looking:

1. Southern New Hampshire Medical Center (SNHMC): Formerly St. Joseph Hospital, this is the city's primary acute care facility, part of the Mass General Brigham system. They hire LPNs primarily for their inpatient units, sub-acute rehab, and sometimes in the emergency department (under RN supervision). Hiring is steady, but they often prefer candidates with some experience. The pay is competitive, and the benefits are excellent.
2. Nashua Community Health Center: A key player in providing care for underserved populations. They have LPN roles in their medical clinics, dental clinics, and behavioral health units. It’s a mission-driven environment with a strong focus on community care.
3. Major Long-Term Care Facilities: This is the largest employer of LPNs in Nashua. Facilities like The Community Hospice of Nashua, The Birches at Concord, and Mount Carmel Rehabilitation and Nursing Center (just over the line in Manchester but a major Nashua commuter) are always hiring. These roles are the backbone of LPN work—medication administration, wound care, and patient monitoring in a 24/7 setting.
4. Pediatric Care: Frisbie Memorial Hospital in nearby Rochester has a strong pediatrics program, and several pediatric specialty clinics in Nashua (like Nashua Pediatric Associates) employ LPNs for well-child visits and vaccinations.
5. Home Health Agencies: Companies like Kindred at Home and Visiting Nurse Association of the North Shore and Cape Cod (serving southern NH) have offices in the area. This is a growing field, offering more autonomy and a different pace than facility-based care.
6. Correctional Facilities: The New Hampshire State Prison for Men in nearby Concord has a healthcare unit that hires LPNs. The pay is often higher due to the setting, but it requires a specific temperament.
7. Urgent Care Networks: Companies like Exeter Health Resources and ConvenientMD have locations in Nashua and employ LPNs for triage, basic procedures, and patient intake.

Hiring Trend Insight: The post-pandemic trend is a push for more LPNs in outpatient and community settings, like health centers and home health, to alleviate pressure on hospitals. If you have experience in these areas, you're in high demand.

Getting Licensed in NH

If you're coming from another state, New Hampshire's licensing process is straightforward but has specific steps. You'll work through the NH Board of Nursing.

Requirements:

• Graduate from an approved LPN program.
• Pass the NCLEX-PN exam.
• Submit a license application (online via the NH Board of Nursing website), including official transcripts and proof of passing the NCLEX.
• Pay the application fee (approximately $120 for initial licensure).
• Complete a federal background check (fingerprinting) through a designated vendor.

Timeline:

• If you're already an LPN in another state (Compact or Non-Compact): You can apply for licensure by endorsement. The process usually takes 4-6 weeks once your application and background check are complete. NH is a compact state (NLC), so if your primary state of residence is part of the NLC, you can practice in NH with your home state license, but you should still inform your employer.
• If you're a new graduate: The process includes exam registration and results, which can take 3-6 months total from graduation to holding your license.

Cost: Budget roughly $250-$300 for the entire process, including application fees, background checks, and any required exam fees not covered by your school.

Insider Tip: Start the background check process early. The fingerprinting schedule can fill up. Also, the NH Board of Nursing website is your best friend—bookmark it and check it for any updates.

Best Neighborhoods for LPNs in Nashua

Where you live in Nashua will define your commute, lifestyle, and expenses. As a local, I can tell you that the city is divided by the major highways (I-93, I-95, and the Everett Turnpike), creating distinct zones.

1. Downtown Nashua: The most walkable area with restaurants, bars, and cultural venues. It's great for a younger professional who wants to be in the action. Commute to SNHMC is a breeze (5-10 mins). Rent for a 1BR: $1,450 - $1,700/month. Parking can be a challenge.
2. South Nashua / "The Avenues": Quiet, established neighborhoods with single-family homes and apartment complexes. Close to major shopping plazas (Walmart, Market Basket) and easy highway access to employers like the Community Health Center. Rent for a 1BR: $1,300 - $1,550/month. Ideal for those who want suburban peace.
3. East Nashua / "The Tree Streets": A mix of older, charming homes and apartments. It's more affordable than downtown and has a strong community feel. Commute to the northern employers (like long-term care facilities) is easy via Route 3. Rent for a 1BR: $1,200 - $1,450/month. A hidden gem for budget-conscious LPNs.
4. West Nashua: This area is dominated by hotels and corporate parks. It's not a traditional residential neighborhood, but it's worth mentioning because it's the closest to the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) and has many chain hotels. Some LPNs working night shift prefer areas near the highway for a quick commute. Rent for a 1BR: $1,350 - $1,600/month.
5. Just Outside the City: Consider Hudson, NH (south of Nashua) or Merrimack, NH (west). They offer lower rents and larger apartments for the same price. The commute into Nashua is typically 10-15 minutes and is a very common route for healthcare workers. Rent for a 1BR: $1,200 - $1,400/month.

Commute Insight: Rush hour traffic can bottleneck on I-93 and the Everett Turnpike. Living in Nashua proper usually keeps your commute under 20 minutes, which is a huge quality-of-life benefit.

The Long Game: Career Growth

An LPN license in NH is a solid foundation, but growth requires intention. The 10-year job growth of 5% means the field is stable, but advancement will come from specialization or moving into leadership.

Specialty Premiums:

• Geriatrics/Gerontology: With an aging population, expertise in dementia care, wound care, and palliative care is highly valued and can lead to roles as a clinical supervisor or coordinator.
• Pediatrics: Specialized training in pediatric care can open doors to clinics, schools (school nurse LPN roles exist in NH), and specialty practices.
• IV Therapy Certification: NH allows LPNs to perform IV therapy under specific protocols. Getting certified (through an approved program) makes you far more versatile, especially in hospitals and home health.
• Long-Term Care Administration: Some LPNs move into roles like MDS Coordinator (working on care plans and documentation) or Director of Nursing (in smaller facilities, though an RN is often required for larger ones).

Advancement Paths:

1. Clinical Expert: Stay at the bedside but become the go-to person for specific skills (wounds, IVs, catheterization). You might train new hires.
2. Leadership: Move into a Charge LPN or Assistant Nurse Manager role. This requires strong organizational and communication skills.
3. Education: Become a clinical instructor for an LPN program. You'll typically need an associate's or bachelor's degree.
4. The Bridge to RN: The most common path. Many Nashua employers (like SNHMC) offer tuition reimbursement for LPNs to become RNs. The community college, Nashua Community College, has an excellent LPN-to-RN bridge program. This is the surest way to significantly increase your salary and scope of practice.

10-Year Outlook: The demand for LPNs will remain strong in long-term care and home health. The key to staying relevant will be embracing technology (electronic health records) and focusing on patient-centered care in community settings. If you're proactive about continuing education, you'll have a secure career.

The Verdict: Is Nashua Right for You?

Nashua isn't a glamorous hotspot, but it's a pragmatic, livable city for a healthcare professional. It's a place to build a steady career without the extreme pressure or cost of a major metro. Here’s the bottom line.

Pros	Cons
Stable Job Market: 181 jobs and 5% growth provide security.	Rent is High Relative to Salary: The $1,489/month average rent is a stretch on a single LPN income.
Competitive Pay: $55,455 median is above the national average.	Limited High-Salary Specialties: Fewer cutting-edge medical research or highly specialized hospital roles compared to Boston.
Manageable Commutes: Living in Nashua means short drives to most employers.	Weather: Long, cold, snowy winters are a real factor for 4-6 months of the year.
No State Income or Sales Tax: Your take-home pay goes further in NH.	Housing Market: Buying a home is challenging on a single LPN salary.
City-Meets-Suburb Lifestyle: Access to amenities without big-city chaos.	Slower Pace: If you crave constant new events and a fast-paced scene, it may feel quiet.

Final Recommendation: Nashua is an excellent choice for LPNs who prioritize stability, a reasonable cost of living (for the Northeast), and a work-life balance. It's ideal for those with some experience (mid-career and above) or for new graduates willing to start in long-term care or home health. If you're looking for the highest possible salary and are willing to live with roommates or in a smaller apartment, Nashua is a viable launchpad. For those wanting to buy a home quickly, consider starting in Nashua but looking to the surrounding towns once your career advances.

FAQs

Q: Is it easy to find a job as a new LPN graduate in Nashua?
A: It's competitive, but possible. Your best bet is to target long-term care facilities, home health agencies, and urgent care centers. Apply broadly and be open to shift work. New graduates from NH LPN programs often have an advantage due to local clinical rotations.

Q: Do I need a car to work as an LPN in Nashua?
A: Yes, absolutely. While downtown is walkable, most healthcare employers are in spread-out locations (hospitals on the east side, clinics in corporate parks, facilities in residential neighborhoods). Public transportation (MATA buses) exists but is not reliable for healthcare shift work.

Q: How does the cost of living in Nashua compare to Boston?
A: Significantly lower. While Nashua's cost of living index is 105.1, Boston's is over 160. Rents in Nashua ($1,489/month) are less than half of Boston's for a comparable apartment. Salaries for LPNs are also closer in these two markets, making Nashua a much better financial choice for this profession.

Q: Can I work as an LPN in Massachusetts with a NH license?
A: Yes, but you must apply for a Massachusetts LPN license. MA is not a compact state. If you live in Nashua and work in MA (e.g., in Lowell or Lawrence), you'll need a MA license. The process is similar but involves the MA Board of Registration in Nursing.

Q: What's the best way to prepare for the winter commute?
A: Invest in good winter tires (it's a law in NH to have them or all-weather tires with adequate tread), and keep a winter emergency kit in your car. Many employers have generous snow day policies, but healthcare is 24/7, so you'll often be expected to make a reasonable effort to get to work. Living close to your workplace is the best strategy.